I just aquired a 1972 model 351c 4 barrel engine from a friend for free. It needs a build but runs (smokes), besides the ovious shock tower knotch and exhaust issues, will it fit in my 72 maverick? I know all the accessories with fit the 351c. Am I asking for a giant headache or can this be done without me pulling my hair out?? Jim:confused:
ty Rad, I am thinking on it, the 351c has some nice aftermarket parts to go with it...and its the same year as my car...how bout the stock v8 springs will they be enough?? Will I have to change the bell housing for the 351c?? All help will be appreciated...Jim:confused:
Tubular automotive makes headers for this swap. the 351C uses the sane bellhousing as the 302 and 351W so no change there. I'm not sure about the motor mounts but the swap has been done so much that someone is making a header for it so someone will know.
You really don't have to do much but do it. The towers don't have to be shaved, but it would help the pulling of the hair when you pull the engine to get the plugs out. You can use all your Mav V8 stuff with the C except: Distributor Oil pan (car front sump version or aftermarket) Intake Headers Water pump* Fuel pump* Valve covers* (Tall covers, like Moroso are VERY TIGHT, they almost hit the master cylinder and are almost impossible to get off the engine when the towers are not shaved.) The power steering and alternator bolt up, but need some slight modding and spacing. *These items are over and above what you need to swap in a 351 Windsor. You sound like you already know what can swap, but here it is: Pulleys Balancer Flywheel/flexplate Clutch/converter Starter Bellhousing Engine mounts Fan/radiator/shroud Tranny Aftermarket musts: Headers... Tubular is the common swap header, but there are others. (Autokrafters markets Tubular headers under their own name and markup) Oil filter must either be relocated or mounted to a 90* swivel. (Ford sells the swivels and installed them on different vehicles in the past.) The C is heavier than a 302, but the front springs seemed to work fine on mine. My car was a 75 with P/S and A/C, so I am sure the springs were pretty stout to begin with. Without A/C, the C probably was close to the stock weight, add the headers and my battery was in the trunk... So I saw no change. If you build that 72, build it pretty mild... that year was open combustion chambers and the block castings got thinner. .030" over and 9.0:1 compression would be optimum for durability. The open chambers were an emissions mod to the engine and are very prone to detonation just by their design. Most folks report serious problems with detonation at any level above 9:1. 8.5:1 is where you should be if you don't want to run premium fuel. C blocks can run .060" overbore, but it usually causes overheating problems at the least. The 70 block are high nickel blocks and usually are best for this. Good luck Dave
Call George Klass at AccuFab and ask if they have headers for this swap. For some reason I'm thinking they do.
thanks for all the good words guys, can I use the stock exhaust manifolds for this swap instead of headers, maybe with a bit of cleanup in the ports?
Some stock manifolds work, but you have to grind off any and all protrusions. Cleveland manifolds have many seemingly needless bumps along their sides. They all must go. You have to grind and fit, grind and fit, until the manifolds can go into the engine bay. (On the engine of course) The stock manifolds will NOT work with a manual tranny. I did this on a friend's car a long time ago... I don't know what manifolds he had. They could have been Stang or Torino. Dave
I `ve posted all the info you need about the 351c Mav swap a couple of times here in the past with part numbers for the headers and a couple of things that have to be done to get the job done... Do a search and you should find them.
This is my swap... Nothing special. Just did it because I was told it couldn't be done. It was internally stock, so it didn't like the 4.11s or the wide ratio toploader.
On my 72 I have trimmed the towers back flush with the outer-most plate, ( the one that the upper control arm shafts set against) I took a piece of 1/8 plate and welded it from the shock side just above the upper shafts up to the top of the towers. made it a lot easier to set the cleveland in there, and I dont think I'll have any more problems changing plugs than I do on the cougar's cleveland. just kinda playing this 351C thing by ear at the moment. I had to grind off all the "nubs" at the top of the exhaust manifolds to get the motor in without binding and pulling the car off the ground when I tried to get it out . I havn't checked it for shure, but the 72 montego manifolds that I've got bolted up look like they are going to clear for a clutch bar. ( now I just have to the the pedals) I've got some pics developed, but my comp is being uncoopertative in posting. I'd be happy to email if anyone wants. I'm getting good advice on here from all, and I appreciate it. Just hope I can be as helpful.
